Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) Infant Toddler/Preschooler

4

Manuscripts

Released in 1979 through 2018

2

Manuscripts

Impact studies rated high or moderate quality

Services intended at ages
0-6 months
07-11 months
12-23 months
24-35 months
36-47 months
48+ months
Favorable results from well-defined research
Positive parenting practices

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Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) is designed to strengthen parent-child bonding and stimulate children’s early language, cognitive, and social development. There are two versions of the program: PALS I Infant curriculum for families with children 5 months to 1 year, which consists of 10 weekly sessions; and PALS II Toddler curriculum for children 18 months to 3 years, which consists of 12 weekly sessions.

Related Models:

Where to find out more

Effectiveness

Does not meet criteria established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an evidence-based home visiting model.

Does not meet criteria for an evidence-based home visiting model for Indigenous peoples and communities.

Extent of Evidence

For more information about manuscripts, search the research database.

For more information on the criteria used to rate research, please see details of HomVEEʼs methods and standards.

4

Manuscripts

Released in 1979 through 2018

3

Manuscripts

Eligible for review

2

Manuscripts

Impact studies rated high or moderate quality

Note: When an individual manuscript reports findings from multiple studies, HomVEE reviews each study as a distinct manuscript. In these rare instances, HomVEE counts that manuscript multiple times in this table, once for each study identified, screened, and reviewed by HomVEE.

Summary of Findings

To see details on each manuscript HomVEE reviewed in well-designed research, click on the manuscript counts in the table.

Favorable:
A finding showing a statistically significant impact on an outcome measure in a direction that is beneficial for children and parents.

No effect:
Findings are not statistically significant.

Unfavorable:
A finding showing a statistically significant impact on an outcome measure in a direction that may indicate potential harm to children and/or parents.

Outcomes Manuscripts Favorable Findings No Effects Findings Unfavorable Findings
Child development and school readiness View 2 Manuscripts 0 14 0
Child health Not measured - - -
Family economic self-sufficiency Not measured - - -
Linkages and referrals Not measured - - -
Maternal health Not measured - - -
Positive parenting practices View 2 Manuscripts 4 10 0
Reductions in child maltreatment Not measured - - -
Reductions in juvenile delinquency, family violence, and crime Not measured - - -

Research Characteristics

Well-designed impact studies about this model included participants with the following characteristics:

Race/Ethnicity

Black or African American
33.80%
Hispanic or Latino
38.60%
White
24.70%
Unknown
3.00%

Well-designed impact studies about this model were conducted in the following locations:

  • South
  • Texas

Implementation

In this section:

Overview

Theoretical approach, intended population, and targeted outcomes.

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Support Availability

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Service Delivery

Model services, adaptions and enhancements, model intensity and length.

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Requirements

Staffing and organizational requirements.

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Overview

Theoretical approach

PALS aims to enhance parents’ interactions with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It is designed as a preventive intervention program to strengthen the attachment between parent and child and stimulate early language, cognitive, and social development.

Intended population

PALS targets at-risk families who are unlikely to have received effective parenting instruction. Local agencies may develop their own target criteria based on their service area context.
Two versions of the model exist: PALS Infant curriculum and PALS Toddler/Preschooler curriculum. PALS Infant curriculum focuses on children ages 5 to 18 months and their families. PALS Toddler/Preschooler curriculum focuses on children ages 18 months through 4 years and their families.

Targeted outcomes

The goal of PALS is to strengthen the attachment between parent and child and to stimulate early language, cognitive, and social development.

Highlights

Populations Intended
Families with a history of child abuse or neglect, or interactions with child welfare services
Families with children with developmental delays or disabilities
Families with pregnant people under age 21
Services intended at ages
0-6 months
07-11 months
12-23 months
24-35 months
36-47 months
48+ months

Support Availability

Implementation support availability

The University of Texas Health Science Center’s Children’s Learning Institute (Children’s Learning Institute) supports implementation of Play and Learning Strategies (PALS). No state support systems exist.

Highlights

Locations where model has been implemented
Within the U.S.

Service Delivery

Model services

PALS includes one-on-one home visits between a trained parent coach and a parent.

Model intensity and length

PALS Infant curriculum consists of 10 weekly sessions. PALS Toddler/Preschooler curriculum consists of 12 weekly sessions. Sessions last about 90 minutes.

Adaptations and enhancements

PALS has been adapted for online delivery in two versions: PALS Spotlights and ePALS. PALS Spotlights is an online, self-instructional version of PALS. It consists of condensed sessions that highlight key concepts from PALS. ePALS is being used in an ongoing study and is not currently available.

Related Models:

Highlights

Language that the program is available in
Spanish
Maximum program duration
One to six months
Visit frequency
Weekly
Delivery Method Supported
Supports hybrid in-person and virtual service delivery

Requirements

Staffing requirements

Certified parent coaches implement PALS (see Pre-Service Staff Training for more details about the certification process) under the guidance of a supervisor. No information is available about other staff required to implement PALS.

Highlights

Minimum education requirement
High school diploma or GED

HomVEE requests input and feedback from the model developers on their profiles. The information in this implementation profile reflects feedback, if provided, from this model’s developer as of the above date. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency. The description of the implementation of the model(s) here may differ from how the model(s) was implemented in the manuscripts reviewed to determine this model’s evidence of effectiveness. Model developers are encouraged to notify HomVEE of any changes to their contact information on this page.